Diseases of the Digestive System
The stomach, liver and small intestine.
Four state of digestive fire
1. High Agni
Agni is usually high in pitta types, with excessive appetite. Circulation is strong but toxins in the blood and bleeding are more common. The stool will tend to be loose with some diarrhoea. Resistance to diseases is generally good but when they do occur, diseases are apt to be sudden and severe (like febrile disorders or heart attacks).
2. Low Agni
Agni is usually low in kapha types, with poor appetite, low metabolism and tendency to gain weight even without excess food consumption. There will be excess of mucus and congestion. Circulation is poor and colds and flu are more common but diseases are often not severe.
3. Variable Agni
Agni is variable in vata types with periods of strong appetite, even extreme hunger, alternating with loss of appetite and forgetting to eat. Gas, distension and constipation are usually signs of variable agni. Circulation is also variable, as is resistance to diseases. More debilitating diseases and long term derangement of the nervous system are more likely.
4. Balance Agni
Signs of balance agni are normal and regular appetite that is consistent and easily satisfied with natural, not strongly spiced foods. Bowel movements will be regular and there will be little production of gas or bloating. Sensory acuity and mental clarity will also usually be strong.
Herbs for Agni
Agni is increased by pungent, sour and salty tastes and decreased by sweet, astringent and bitter, through bitter taste in small amounts before meals can also increase Agni.
- When Agni is high spices should general avoided but digestive bitter – aloe, barberry and gentian can be taken.
Tikta or Mahasudarshan Choorna these low the digestive fire without increasing toxing.
- Whe Agni is low hot spices can be taken – cayenne, ginger, black pepper (typically the Trikatu formula).
- When Agni is variable, spices and salt should be taken – asafoetida, ginger, cumin, rock salt.
- When Agni is normal harmonizing spices – cardamom, tumeric, coriander and fennel can be taken to maintain balance.
Trikatu (1gr. or ¼ of a tea spoon half hour before meals)
The stomach, liver and small intestine.
Four state of digestive fire
1. High Agni
Agni is usually high in pitta types, with excessive appetite. Circulation is strong but toxins in the blood and bleeding are more common. The stool will tend to be loose with some diarrhoea. Resistance to diseases is generally good but when they do occur, diseases are apt to be sudden and severe (like febrile disorders or heart attacks).
2. Low Agni
Agni is usually low in kapha types, with poor appetite, low metabolism and tendency to gain weight even without excess food consumption. There will be excess of mucus and congestion. Circulation is poor and colds and flu are more common but diseases are often not severe.
3. Variable Agni
Agni is variable in vata types with periods of strong appetite, even extreme hunger, alternating with loss of appetite and forgetting to eat. Gas, distension and constipation are usually signs of variable agni. Circulation is also variable, as is resistance to diseases. More debilitating diseases and long term derangement of the nervous system are more likely.
4. Balance Agni
Signs of balance agni are normal and regular appetite that is consistent and easily satisfied with natural, not strongly spiced foods. Bowel movements will be regular and there will be little production of gas or bloating. Sensory acuity and mental clarity will also usually be strong.
Herbs for Agni
Agni is increased by pungent, sour and salty tastes and decreased by sweet, astringent and bitter, through bitter taste in small amounts before meals can also increase Agni.
- When Agni is high spices should general avoided but digestive bitter – aloe, barberry and gentian can be taken.
Tikta or Mahasudarshan Choorna these low the digestive fire without increasing toxing.
- Whe Agni is low hot spices can be taken – cayenne, ginger, black pepper (typically the Trikatu formula).
- When Agni is variable, spices and salt should be taken – asafoetida, ginger, cumin, rock salt.
- When Agni is normal harmonizing spices – cardamom, tumeric, coriander and fennel can be taken to maintain balance.
Trikatu (1gr. or ¼ of a tea spoon half hour before meals)
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